Broken rice market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the broken rice market in Eastern Asia contracted slightly, with volume falling from 2 686 thousand tons to 2 528 thousand tons. This followed a reduction in rice production in China, the world's largest producer, which pushed up global rice prices by 5.5% in 2018 and likely made imported broken rice less attractive, contributing to the lower market size.

The market then entered a period of rapid expansion, growing to 5 547 thousand tons by 2022. This surge was driven primarily by a steep increase in imports, which rose more than sixfold over three years to meet industrial and feed demand. A major drought in the Yangtze River basin in 2022 reduced domestic rice output, further amplifying the need for imported broken rice to supply the market.

In 2023, market volume halved to 2 844 thousand tons as imports collapsed by 75%. Continued adverse weather, including floods in Northeast China and persistent drought in central provinces, affected rice yields and quality. However, ample domestic rice supplies and an improved global trade environment—with India easing export restrictions—reduced import dependency. By 2024, the market saw growing diversification in usage, exemplified by companies like Wuxi Gold Agricultural Biotechnology scaling up production of high-value rice protein and peptides from broken rice for international markets.

Production broken rice in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of broken rice, 2017-2020

Broken rice production in Eastern Asia has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 988 thousand tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.1%, with an average annual decline of 0.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports broken rice from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 6.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Eastern Asia exported 3 thousand tonnes of broken rice, which was a 16.9% increase from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 12 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 80.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, surging by 528.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, the Philippines, and the United States remained the main buyers of broken rice from Eastern Asia. Egypt accounted for 66.5% of exports in volume, the Philippines for 5.9%, and the United States for 2.1%. Together, these three countries represented 74.6% of total exports in volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.2-fold fluctuation. In 2020, broken rice shipments from Eastern Asia abroad amounted to 1.4 million US dollars, showing a small decrease of 1.9% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 4.3 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 66.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 215.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Egypt, the United States, and the Philippines formed the key group of partners for broken rice exports from Eastern Asia in value terms. Egypt accounted for 36.3% of exports in value, the United States for 12.4%, and the Philippines for 4.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 53.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports broken rice to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports dropped to their lowest point in 2019 and climbed to a maximum in 2020, with a 1.9-fold shift between these years. In 2020, Eastern Asia imported 1 028 thousand tonnes of broken rice, representing a dramatic rise of 94.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 528 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, decreasing by 26.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Vietnam, and Pakistan led as the top suppliers of broken rice to Eastern Asia in volume terms. Thailand accounted for 36.8% of imports in volume, Vietnam for 31.7%, and Pakistan for 17.8%. Together, these three countries made up 86.3% of total imports in volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import values fell to a minimum in 2019 and rose to their maximum in 2020, showing a 2.1-fold change. In 2020, foreign broken rice supplies to Eastern Asia totalled 441.8 million US dollars, marking an intense increase of 109.4% year-on-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 211.0 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 21.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Thailand, Vietnam, and Pakistan—remained central to imports in value terms, together accounting for 88.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020